Trump to Serve as Honorary Chairman for Presidents Cup at Medinah

Donald Trump confirmed he will attend the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club from September 24-27, 2026, serving as the tournament's honorary chairman.

Donald Trump confirmed via social media on Saturday that he will serve as honorary chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup, scheduled for September 24-27 at Medinah Country Club. This appointment follows a formal invitation from PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp. The upcoming matches in Illinois mark the second consecutive year the former president will attend a premier team golf competition, following his appearance during the opening round of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Long Island in September 2025. Medinah, a venue located just outside Chicago, previously hosted the PGA Championship twice, the U.S. Open three times, and the 2012 Ryder Cup.

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The tradition of involving heads of state in this biennial event dates back to its inception in 1994. Gerald Ford was the first to hold the honorary chairmanship, accepting the role 18 years after his presidency concluded. In 2000, Bill Clinton became the first sitting president to attend the matches, visiting the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, for a single round of play. The 2017 tournament at Liberty National saw a historic gathering when Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton appeared together on the first tee during the opening session. Trump also visited the New Jersey course on the final day of that 2017 event to participate in the trophy presentation during his first term.

Established to provide a competitive platform for international players from non-European nations, the Presidents Cup serves as a counterpart to the Ryder Cup for golfers ineligible for the latter. The tournament protocol typically designates the head of state from the host nation as the honorary chairman. Most recently, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in the trophy ceremony at the 2024 matches held at Royal Montreal. While global leaders almost always accept these ceremonial titles, their physical presence at the golf course is not a mandatory requirement of the designation.

Latest developments

Commissioner Brian Rolapp emphasized that the tournament maintains a long-standing legacy of engaging world leaders across various political spectrums. The PGA Tour leader noted that Trump’s involvement is intended to elevate the profile of the matches on the international stage. According to official statements, the mission of the event remains focused on bringing people together through the sport of golf. The 2026 iteration at Medinah will continue this pattern of high-level diplomatic involvement, ensuring the competition remains a focal point for both athletic and political figures.

Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3 will provide the backdrop for the four-day match-play event. The facility is renowned for its challenging layout and has a history of producing dramatic finishes in international play. By accepting the chairmanship, Trump joins a list of dignitaries that includes every U.S. president since the mid-1990s. The 2026 matches will be the first time the Presidents Cup has been held in the Chicago area, expanding the tournament’s reach into the American Midwest.

Logistical preparations for the September 2026 dates are already underway, with the PGA Tour coordinating security and protocol for the anticipated presidential visit. The announcement of Trump's participation comes nearly two years ahead of the first tee shot, highlighting the significant lead time required for such high-profile sporting engagements. Fans attending the Medinah matches can expect a heightened security presence consistent with the attendance of a former commander-in-chief. This commitment ensures that the 2026 edition will be one of the most closely watched iterations in the tournament's thirty-two-year history.